Valens Roman AE (AD 364-378) NGC

Own a certified Roman bronze AE of Valens (AD 364–378), authenticated and slabbed by NGC. This coin connects to the reign of an emperor who is often remembered as "the Last True Roman," embodying the endurance and resilience of the ancient empire.

Valens was appointed Eastern Roman Emperor by his brother Valentinian I in 364 AD, at a time when the empire faced mounting pressures from both internal instability and external threats. While not a great military innovator, Valens’ reign was marked by steady governance and major public works, including the construction of the famed Aqueduct of Valens in Constantinople. This massive engineering achievement supplied water to the imperial capital for over a thousand years, a testament to Roman ingenuity and durability.

Despite his administrative successes, Valens’ reign ended tragically. In 378 AD, he faced a massive Gothic uprising at the Battle of Adrianople. Underestimating the enemy’s strength and refusing to wait for reinforcements, Valens led his forces into a catastrophic defeat. He perished in the battle, and the loss of so many Roman troops marked a turning point in the empire’s long decline.

Bronze AE coins of Valens typically feature his diademed bust on the obverse, with reverses emphasizing military security, Roman virtues, or divine favor — reflecting the ideals he sought to uphold even as the world around him changed.

Certified by NGC, this AE coin offers collectors a poignant link to one of the last emperors who fully embodied the spirit of ancient Rome.